Discovering Timeless Treasures: Israel Tours for Adults
Imagine a getaway that is not just a break from the everyday but a profound journey through time and culture. Israel offers a unique fusion of ancient history, spiritual milestones, and modern-day marvels.
Tours for adults in Israel are tailor-made experiences that cater to mature travelers seeking depth and understanding in their adventures.
Whether it’s walking through the winding alleys of Jerusalem, savoring the innovative cuisine of Tel Aviv, or basking in the stillness of the Dead Sea, Israel serves as the perfect backdrop for an enriching adult escapade.
This is a land where every stone tells a story, and every sunset brings a sense of ancient continuity. It is an ideal destination for those who crave a travel experience that enlightens as much as it excites.
Jerusalem and Bethlehem from Tel Aviv:
This full-day coach tour is a deep dive into the religious and historical significance of two of the world’s most revered cities.
The tour blends spiritual discovery with historical exploration, making it a perfect fit for those interested in Jerusalem and Bethlehem’s Christian and historic sites.
For those considering an enriching tour to Jerusalem and Bethlehem from Tel Aviv, here’s an activities itinerary that highlights the blend of historical and spiritual experiences you can expect:
Jerusalem’s Old City:
Your day begins with exploring Jerusalem’s Old City and its four quarters, each with its character and historical significance.
The Old City of Jerusalem is a 0.9-square-kilometre walled area in East Jerusalem. It is known for its division into four quarters: the Muslim Quarter, the Christian Quarter, the Armenian Quarter, and the Jewish Quarter.
The Temple Mount, also within the Old City, houses the Dome of the Rock and the Al-Aqsa Mosque and is the former site of the Jewish Temple.
The current walls and city gates date back to between 1535 and 1542 under Suleiman the Magnificent of the Ottoman Empire.
Despite its name, the layout of the Old City today differs from ancient times, with most archaeologists believing that the City of David, located on a rocky spur south of the Temple Mount, was the original core of Jerusalem during the Bronze and Iron Ages.
The Old City is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is of critical religious importance to Judaism, Christianity, and Islam.
Byzantine Cardo and Western Wall:
Visit the remnants of an ancient Roman road and the Western Wall, one of the holiest sites in Judaism.
The Byzantine Cardo in Jerusalem was a major north-south thoroughfare in ancient Roman cities, named after the Latin word for ‘hinge’ or ‘axis,’ which reflects its importance as the heart of economic life in the city.
In Jerusalem, during the visit of Emperor Hadrian in the 130s AD, the city was surveyed and reestablished as the Roman colony of Aelia Capitolina.
The city was laid out with a grid plan typical of Roman colonies, and the Cardo Maximus was constructed as a broad, colonnaded avenue running southward from the Damascus Gate.
Under Emperor Justinian in the 6th century AD, this road was extended further south to connect the Church of the Holy Sepulchre with the newly built Zion Gate.
The Cardo was lined with shops and vendors, serving as a hub of economic life.
The roadway was divided into two shaded porticoes for pedestrian traffic and a central open pavement for commercial access and ritual space.
The Western Wall, also known as the Wailing Wall or in Islam as the Buraq Wall, is a remaining section of the ancient limestone wall that formed part of the more enormous retaining walls of the Temple Mount in Jerusalem.
Over half of the wall, including its 17 courses located below street level, dates from the end of the Second Temple period and is believed to have been built under Herod the Great.
The Western Wall is of immense religious significance in Judaism as the holiest place where Jews are permitted to pray due to its proximity to the Temple Mount, specifically the Holy of Holies, the most sacred site in the Jewish faith.
It also holds significance in Muslim tradition as the site where Prophet Muhammad tied his winged steed, al-Buraq, during his night journey to Jerusalem.
The term “Western Wall” often refers specifically to the section of the wall used for Jewish prayer and is adjacent to a large plaza in the Jewish Quarter.
There is also a smaller section known as the “Little Western Wall,” which is presumed closer to the ancient Holy of Holies.
The Byzantine Cardo and the Western Wall are situated within the Old City of Jerusalem, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and home to sites of crucial importance to the three major Abrahamic religions: Judaism, Christianity, and Islam.
These sites reflect the deep historical and religious layers that characterize Jerusalem’s Old City.
Markets and Dome of the Rock View:
Experience the vibrant bazaars and enjoy views of the iconic Dome of the Rock.
Jerusalem is a city that seamlessly blends the ancient with the modern, which is vividly reflected in its markets, which offer a variety of unique shopping experiences. Machane Yehuda Market, known as the shuk, is the largest market in Jerusalem and a must-visit destination.
It features an array of fresh, seasonal produce, spices, cheeses, meats, baked goods, and more from over 250 vendors. This market also doubles as a nightlife hotspot in the evening, with bars, restaurants, and an urban art display on the metal shutter doors.
For those seeking a more upscale shopping experience, the Mamilla open-air mall, located just outside the Jaffa Gate of the Old City, offers high-end shopping, cafes, and restaurants. It combines modern architecture with ancient facades and frequently features art installations.
In the Old City, the various quarters house markets where one can find religious items, jewelry, pottery, clothing, and many souvenirs. Bargaining is part of the experience here, and the market is known for its diverse goods.
On Fridays, the Bezalel Street Fair showcases the work of local artists, offering handmade items like jewelry and pottery reminiscent of the Nachalat Benyamin artist market in Tel Aviv.
The Dome of the Rock, an iconic and ancient Islamic monument built in the late 7th century by the Umayyad Caliph Abd al-Malik ibn Marwan, stands out for its spiritual significance and architectural splendor.
Situated on the Temple Mount, known to Muslims as al-Ḥaram al-Sharīf, it is believed to be the spot from which the Prophet Muhammad ascended to heaven during the Mi’raj.
This shrine is notable for its Byzantine-inspired architecture, marked by a central gilded wooden dome over an octagonal base, and its interior and exterior are adorned with marble, mosaics devoid of human or animal forms, and Arabic inscriptions.
The markets of Jerusalem provide a glimpse into the city’s vibrant daily life and rich tapestry of cultures. At the same time, the view of the Dome of the Rock offers a connection to a profound historical and religious narrative that continues to shape the city’s identity today.
Middle Eastern Lunch:
Savor a traditional lunch in the Arab Souq.
Middle Eastern cuisine is rich and diverse, with dishes that vary across regions but share common ingredients and culinary traditions.
Common ingredients include olives, olive oil, pitas, honey, sesame seeds, dates, sumac, chickpeas, mint, rice, and parsley. A typical Middle Eastern lunch might feature dishes such as kebabs, dolmas (stuffed grape leaves), falafel, baklava (a sweet pastry), yogurt, doner kebab, shawarma (slices of seasoned meat), and mulukhiyah (a leafy vegetable stew).
These dishes are known for their vibrant flavors, extensive use of spices, and the combination of various textures and ingredients.
This tour promises a full day of immersive activities that allow you to engage deeply with these ancient cities’ sacred histories and cultures.
Masada and the Dead Sea Day Trip from Tel Aviv:
Experience Masada’s rich history and the Dead Sea’s therapeutic beauty in this comprehensive tour. Including hotel pickup and drop-off, a professional guide, and all entrance fees, this tour is ideal for those looking to combine historical learning with natural relaxation.
The “Masada, Ein Gedi, Dead Sea, & More Tour” from Tel Aviv is an exceptional experience that offers a mix of historical exploration, natural beauty, and relaxation.
Judean Desert Descent:
The tour starts with descending through the Judean Desert, going below sea level to the Earth’s lowest region, offering a unique photo opportunity if time permits.
The Judean Desert, also known as the Desert of Judah, is a region southeast of Jerusalem along the western shore of the Dead Sea, characterized by its mountainous terrain and steep ravines. It has a warm climate exceeding 40 degrees Celsius in the summer.
This desert is historically significant, the location of the oldest continuously inhabited city, Jericho, and the ancient Ein Gedi oasis and Mar Saba monastery.
In biblical times, the Judean Desert was a refuge for figures like King David. During the New Testament era, it was the site of Jesus’s self-imposed exile and temptation by Satan. It was also significant during the Bar Kokhba revolt, where Jewish rebels fortified themselves in Masada.
In modern times, the desert continues to be inhabited. It is a popular tourist destination, offering hiking, swimming in the Ein Gedi Oasis, and visiting historical sites such as Masada and the Monastery of the Temptation. It is also the location where the Dead Sea Scrolls were discovered in the Qumran Caves.
En route, you’ll pass significant sites like the Inn of the Good Samaritan and the city of Jericho.
Dead Sea:
Experience floating in the buoyant waters of the Dead Sea and indulge in a mud bath known for its therapeutic properties.
The Dead Sea, also known as Yam hamMelaḥ in Hebrew and Āl-Baḥrū l-Maytū in Arabic, is a significant salt lake bordered by Jordan to the east and Israel and the Palestinian West Bank to the west. It is located in the Jordan Rift Valley and is fed by the Jordan River.
Notably, the shores of the Dead Sea are the lowest land-based elevation on Earth, sitting at 430.5 meters (1,412 feet) below sea level. It is the deepest hypersaline lake in the world, with a salinity of 34.2%, 9.6 times saltier than the ocean.
This high salinity creates a buoyant swimming experience and means that life cannot flourish in its waters, hence its name.
Historically, the Dead Sea has been a destination for millennia, serving as one of the world’s first health resorts for figures like Herod the Great. It has provided various products, including asphalt for Egyptian mummification and potash for fertilizers. Today, it is a popular spot for tourists from the Israeli, Jordanian, and West Bank coastlines.
However, the Dead Sea is receding rapidly; its surface area has reduced from 1,050 square kilometers in 1930 to 605 square kilometers today. Efforts like the proposed Red Sea–Dead Sea Water Conveyance project have been considered to help mitigate this recession.
Ein Gedi:
Visit Ein Gedi, a beautiful oasis in the middle of the desert, offering a serene and green contrast to the surrounding arid landscape.
Ein Gedi, meaning “spring of the kid,” is an oasis and nature reserve in Israel, located west of the Dead Sea, near Masada and the Qumran Caves.
It is recognized for its stunning beauty, varied landscapes, and botanical gardens, making it one of Israel’s premier hiking spots. The reserve is situated in the Judean Desert and is characterized by its significant variations in elevation over short distances.
Perennial freshwater springs have enabled permanent settlement and agriculture in this region since ancient times despite the extreme heat and aridity.
The area is also the northernmost natural habitat for several plant species more commonly found in the savannahs of East Africa, illustrating its unique ecological significance.
The Ein Gedi Botanical Garden is particularly noted for its collection of plants from arid regions.
Regarding its biblical importance, Ein Gedi served as a water source during these times, and a half-hour hike can lead you to a waterfall and pool, as well as trails to Shulamit Spring, the top of the falls, and the Dodim Cave. The park is one of the few places in the Israeli deserts where streams run all year long, and it includes trails past waterfalls, springs, caves, canyons, and an early Bronze Age temple.
The nature reserve is also home to wildlife, including Nubian ibexes, hyraxes, foxes, hyenas, leopards, and numerous bird species. Hiking trails like the Ein Gedi Ascent offer challenging climbs and access to ancient ruins and natural springs. Additionally, Ein Gedi Eco Park at Kibbutz Ein Gedi provides insights into environmental challenges and technologies in Israel, featuring solar cookers, a zoo, and mud structures. The Ein Gedi Kibbutz is a small settlement gateway to the nature reserve. It is considered one of the most beautiful places in Israel, highlighting the area’s overall appeal.
This day trip is perfect for those looking to explore ancient history at Masada, relax in the natural beauty of Ein Gedi, and experience the unique sensation of floating in the Dead Sea.
Experience for yourself
Israel tours for adults, especially those designed by ITAS Tours, offer a rare blend of education, exploration, and relaxation. These full-day excursions, with professional guides and convenient amenities, provide deep insights into the locations’ historical and cultural significance.
Catering to various interests, from religious history to natural tranquillity, these tours represent the pinnacle of adult-oriented travel experiences.
As you return from your Israel travel adventure, you carry not just memories but a newfound appreciation for one of the world’s most historically rich regions, a journey made even more rewarding with the expertise and care of Israel Travel Advisory Service.